Newcomer Cultivation Ranking

The queue swiftly formed three lines. Several hundred people remained silent, waiting for Steward Lin to arrive.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, under the gaze of hundreds of eyes, Lin Chuan, dressed in snow-white robes, came from afar as though shrinking the earth with every step.

With each shift, he crossed at least thirty meters, and because he was so fast, no one could see his figure as he moved.

"What terrifying speed!"

Such a method was immensely shocking in the eyes of labor disciples like Yang Chen. Nearly everyone stared in stunned disbelief.

"Greetings, Steward Lin!"

Wang Kui and the other two had witnessed Lin Chuan's abilities many times. Though they were still shocked, they quickly came back to their senses.

The moment the three finished speaking, Lin Chuan appeared before everyone. His expression was calm and his bearing steady, his voice sonorous and powerful. "A month has passed. I presume you have gradually grown accustomed to life on the Nineteen Peaks. The disciples of Labor Peak have it hard, but only the unyielding will tempered by such hardship can support us in walking a firmer path on the road of martial arts."

"I still remember that twelve years ago, when I first entered the sect and began as a laborer, my heart was filled with grievances and resentment. I, too, wanted to ask why I still had to work so hard to complete my tasks every day."

"Not until I was promoted to an Outer Sect disciple did I understand. The reason the Sun Moon Sword Sect can gain a foothold in this complex and perilous land is not merely because of the sect's upper ranks, nor merely because of its inner and outer sect disciples. To the Sun Moon Sword Sect, the most important are the hundreds of thousands of you."

"You are the Sun Moon Sword Sect's firmest foundation, the cornerstone that supports the sect's operations. The future Outer Sect, Inner Sect, and even true disciples will all emerge from among you."

"I firmly believe that one day, you will fight shoulder to shoulder with me. I even look forward to the day when you can lead disciples like me in defending the dignity of our Sun Moon Sword Sect."

Lin Chuan's words set the blood of those below boiling.

Quite a few disciples who had harbored complaints were filled with the bold spirit of Are kings and generals born to their stations?

"I eagerly await that day!"

"But before then, you must still remain steadfast in your duties and fulfill the sect's tasks with utmost devotion. Today, you are newcomers, contributors, but one day, the example you set will profoundly influence those who come after you."

"Hardship is unavoidable. I have seen all your efforts, and I have come today for only one purpose: to help you grow more quickly!"

Lin Chuan's tone was steady, every word falling clearly upon the ears of all the disciples. His gaze slowly swept across them. Under his gaze, everyone held their heads high and thrust out their chests; every labor disciple felt his regard.

"Bring out the tables."

At Lin Chuan's command, Wang Kui and the other two slapped the Storage Bags at their waists, and three tables appeared before the crowd.

With a sweep of Lin Chuan's hand, several hundred Spirit Crystals appeared atop each table.

Seeing the fiery looks in all the disciples' eyes and their hurried breaths, Lin Chuan declared, "Today, I will give each of you two Spirit Crystals free of charge! I sincerely hope that your path in martial arts will be both steady and swift."

"Free of charge?!"

"That's two Spirit Crystals! He's just giving them to us?"

"Two for each person—we have over five hundred people here. This, this..."

Every disciple, Yang Chen included, was deeply shaken.

One or two Spirit Crystals were not much in the eyes of people like Yang Chen. But Lin Chuan had brought out more than a thousand of them. In Yang Chen's view, even Outer Sect disciples would not find it easy to earn so many Spirit Crystals, yet they were now being freely given to people like them.

It was hard not to be awed by such generosity.

In an instant, respect flashed across every disciple's face.

A clamor suddenly rose, but Lin Chuan's expression remained as placid as water. A few breaths later, he pressed his hands downward, and everyone immediately fell silent. The scene returned to a hushed stillness where not even a crow or sparrow could be heard.

"The Spirit Crystals are merely a personal gift from me. That is not why I came today. I am here to announce something that concerns every one of you."

Lin Chuan paced around the labor disciples. "Half a month ago, under Steward Han's leadership, the Nineteen Peaks convened a meeting. After discussion, it was decided that starting tomorrow, the Nineteen Peaks Cultivation Ranking will be launched. All new disciples may participate in competing for a place on the ranking free of charge."

"The ranking records the top one hundred and settles accounts once each month. The top one hundred in cultivation will receive a greater share of the Nineteen Peaks' resources. The specific rewards are as follows:"

"Those ranked from 51st to 100th will receive five Spirit Crystals."

"Those ranked from 31st to 50th will receive ten Spirit Crystals."

"Those ranked from 21st to 30th will receive fifteen Spirit Crystals."

"Those ranked from 11th to 20th will receive fifteen Spirit Crystals and one Low-grade Spirit Sword Technique!"

"Those ranked from 4th to 10th will receive twenty Spirit Crystals, one Low-grade Sword Technique, and one Low-grade Spirit Sword."

"Third place will receive twenty Spirit Crystals and one Mid-grade Sword Technique!"

"Second place will receive twenty-five Spirit Crystals, one Mid-grade Sword Technique, and one Mid-grade Sword!"

"First place will receive twenty-five Spirit Crystals, one Storage Bag, one Mid-grade Sword Technique, and one Mid-grade Sword!"

The instant these words were spoken, everyone in the silent grounds began breathing heavily.

Without exaggeration, if one could remain firmly on the ranking, the path through the Qi Martial Realm would become incomparably smooth. To put it more seriously, it could even affect whether one could advance to the Outer Sect in the future.

Everyone realized that this was an opportunity no less than defying the heavens and changing their fate.

"The Cultivation Ranking is in the square beside the dining hall. Starting tomorrow, it will update the cultivation and names of ranked disciples in real time. Beside the ranking are five Cultivation Testing Stones, which you may also use to verify your cultivation at any time."

Looking at the excited new disciples, Lin Chuan said in a deep voice, "The ranking will remain in place for one year, until the next batch of new disciples enters the sect. This is your opportunity. I hope you will strive onward and not fail the passing years."

"Finally, the Cultivation Ranking is open to all newly inducted disciples across the Nineteen Peaks. This is not only your opportunity, but also a battle to defend the honor of our Area 8. I hope that by the end of next month, our Area 8 will stand proudly at the top, rather than bringing up the rear among the ten areas. Can you do it?!"

"We can!!!"

A hoarse, all-out roar erupted from every disciple's throat. The deafening cry seemed capable of tearing apart the clouds.

"Good! Remember what you said today. Do not disappoint me!" Lin Chuan revealed a rare smile. "Now begin distributing the Spirit Crystals. Line up and collect them in order."

Wang Kui and the other two were ready. The disciples all beamed with delight and obediently lined up to collect their Spirit Crystals.

"How could a sect like this fail to grow strong?"

Holding the two Spirit Crystals he had received, Yang Chen's turbulent emotions refused to settle for a long while.

After Lin Chuan's speech, even he, who had lived two lives, could not help but feel his blood boil. He was determined to contend for a place on the cultivation Rankings Board!

In life, one either fought for fame or seized profit. Now that an opportunity to gain both fame and fortune lay right before him, he had no reason to remain unmoved.